Armenia

The very beginnings of humanitarian assistance provided by the Czech Republic and specifically by People in Need were in Armenia in 1988, when the northwest of the country was hit by a devastating earthquake that killed tens of thousands of people. As a result, a group of students in Prague organized a public collection that provoked massive public response. Fifty tonnes of materials were shipped to Armenia and a core group of people was created whose members were later present at the birth of People in Need.

Since the war in the 1990s, Armenia has been in deep economic decline and isolation. A high unemployment rate and poor social security has forced its population to seek work elsewhere. Of a total of 9 million Armenians worldwide, only about a third now live in their homeland.

People in Need established a mission in Armenia in 2003. Its activities focus on the issues of illegal migration and repatriation assistance to returning Armenians. Another topic tackled by the organization in Armenia was the prevention of child trafficking. Currently through its two projects People in Need focuses on creating new job opportunities and supports small businesses.